According to the natives, they have no warp technology, and are in preparation for war with the Kreen, a nomadic society that wants to destroy them. The Kreen are rapidly approaching, and war will begin soon.

The two cultures originated from the star system the Enterprise had been exploring. Thousands of years ago, the Lethanta (inhabitants of Nem Ma'ak Bratuna} enslaved the Kreen. Centuries later, the Kreen revolted, and after their own world was poisoned by the Lethanta, they destroyed their world, also. The Lethanta fled to their new world, and the Kreen had been in pursuit ever since.

Captain Picard tries to mediate between the two peoples, without success. The Kreen launch their invasion, and soon gain the advantage in the war. The Lethanta then activate their doomsday weapon, a warp field near their star, designed to wipe out their world and take the Kreen with them. With the Kreen destroyed, the other Lethanta scattered throughout the galaxy would be safe.

The Enterprise deactivates the device, and the Kreen depose their revenge-obsessed leader and opt for peace. A small portion of the Kreen continue their search for the other Lethanta, wherever they might be.

Referenced in Chapter Nine, when Picard signals Worf and Troi that they are likely being monitored by the Krann, by referring to Dathon and his "friends" Darmok and Jalad. They then begin talking in code, with Tamarian-style metaphorical speech involving Earth stories.